Kindergarten ABC’s

A
Absences-It is important that your child is at school by 7:50 a.m. each day. If your child is absent, you must
send a note to school when he/she returns, stating the reason for the absence so it will be considered
“excused”. The district has strict policies regarding absences, especially “unexcused” absences so please
follow this policy.

Alphabet Knowledge-We will teach both the letters of the alphabet and sounds that each letter makes. I will
do an assessment at least once every nine weeks to keep you updated on their progress. We will also be using
elements of ZooPhonics, Nancy Fetzer, Orton-Gillingham, and Fountas and Pinnell for this curriculum area.

Assessments- We will use many methods of assessment in Kindergarten. Our main Literacy assessment is
iStation and will be given three times this year: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Our all students in our district also
complete monthly progress monitoring using iStation. Kindergarten also uses weekly Common Formative
Assessments (CFAs) as a measure of student proficiency and to assist us in instructional planning. DRA
(Developmental Reading Assessment) is an assessment that will show the reading progression of your child
throughout elementary school. The Word Analysis section of DRA will be given in the Fall and intermittently
if a child is scoring below proficiency. The reading level section of DRA will be given in the Fall, Winter, and
Spring. We will also use checklists that correlate with our Standards and Benchmarks and informal
assessments such as observations and work samples.

Arrival- Your child should arrive at school no earlier than 7:30 a.m. each morning. If your child eats breakfast
at school, they’ll go directly to the cafeteria and then when finished they will go outside to play until 7:55 a.m.
If your child does not eat breakfast they’ll go to the Kindergarten playground until the 7:55 bell. Please do
not bring your child to the classroom before 7:55 a.m. as we are preparing for our lessons. If your child arrives
after 8:00 they’ll be considered tardy and you need to sign your child in the classroom when you arrive. On
days that the weather is rainy, snowy, or below 32 degrees your child will be sent to the library and your child’s
teacher will bring them to the classroom at 7:55.

B
Behavior- As part of our classroom management your child will be expected to follow our classroom and
school expectations to the best of their ability in order to ensure a safe learning environment. Your child will
have a daily behavior chart in their binders. Please review this nightly to reinforce positive behavior and
discuss negative behavior.
**Color Code on Behavior Chart:
Blue=ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! Your child did not receive any reminders in following expectations AND they
demonstrated exceptional character in one or several areas.
Green=Your child had a GREAT day! Your child received few, if any reminders for the day.
Yellow=Your child needed several reminders regarding following classroom/school expectations.
Red=Your child would not respond to reminders OR had a behavior that warranted a time out. You will
receive a phone call, e-mail, or note from me.

First and foremost, we use positive, proactive behavior management system throughout our day. This includes
a significant amount of modeling, constant praise for positive behaviors, role playing, and discussions. During
instances when this does not promote positive behaviors, we will use consequences that correlate with
specific actions (i.e. Running in the hallpracticing walking in the hall, frequent disruptions during
instructionseparation from the group during the lesson). We are teaching them responsibility for their
actions when they make a choice to break a rule. We will revise our system throughout the year, as necessary.

Bus- Students may ride the bus to school if they live 1+ miles from the school. Please see the office for a bus
number and schedule. If your child needs to ride a different bus for any reason they must have a signed note
from the parent/guardian before getting onto a different bus. The Student Transportation phone number is
523-5686. Your child will wear a nametag the first couple days of school to ensure that the bus driver
becomes familiar with your child and their bus stop. You MUST COMPLETE a bus registration form prior to
your child riding their bus. All Kindergarten students must be met by specific adults as well as have
paperwork that details which adults are allowed to accept responsibility of each student after exiting the
bus.

Birthdays-On your child’s birthday they will be the “Kid of the Day”. On this day they are responsible for
bringing a healthy snack for the class, and they can also bring a special treat to share with their classmates,
too. We will celebrate their special day throughout the school day in a variety of ways.

Book Orders- I will send home various book orders from time to time. They’ll include a due date on each
order. These book orders offer low cost books and do not include shipping or tax. These are a terrific way
to build up your home library or to order fantastic gifts. If you choose to order books please send a check or
money order along with your order form by the due date given. These orders usually take a week to come in
from the time I place the order.

Backpacks and Binders-Please make sure that your child brings their backpack and their binder back to school
each morning. It is a very instrumental part of teaching responsibility and being prepared for school each day.
Also, please check your child’s backpack and binder each night.

Breakfast-Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the cafeteria. The cost is $1.00/$.30 reduced. Parents are
encouraged to pre-pay their meals by sending in a check or money to the cafeteria.

C
Clothing-Please dress your child comfortably for Kindergarten and remember that we sometimes do messy
activities in Kindergarten. Label all coats and sweaters with your child’s name so we can avoid mix-ups. Our
district has a dress code which Kindergarten kids have to adhere to as well.

Conferences-We have two district scheduled conference days this year for parent/teacher conferences
October 5th and March 1st. However, if you need to contact me at any time please call the school (527-9619),
send a note, text me (649-8022) or e-mail me (michestr@lcps.net). We can make arrangements to meet before
or after school. Please try to remember that we begin instruction shortly after the 7:55 bell.

Communication- Communication between home and school is extremely important to me! I will send home a
weekly newsletter informing you of a variety of classroom happenings. Furthermore, I will use the Remind app
to send out important information and reminders throughout the school year. Please do not hesitate to call
the school (527-9619), call or text me (575-649-8022), send a note with your child inside of their of binder, or e-
mail me (michestr@lcps.net) if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions and I will get back to you
A.S.A.P. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU SEND ME A TEXT AND I DO NOT RESPOND, I HAVE NOT
READ THE TEXT. IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, PLEASE
CALL THE FRONT OFFICE IF NO RESPONSE IS GIVEN.

D
Discipline- In our classroom, and throughout the school, we expect students to follow a set of rules in order
to maintain a safe environment that is conducive to learning. We use a positive behavior management system;
however, if your child continues to make poor choices they will have a suitable consequence. These
consequences range from classroom time out, loss of recess or center time, phone call home, and/or meeting
with one of the principals depending on the situation. Each day a student a student will have calendar that
communicates their behavior for the day. Please commend your child for good behaviors and discuss a plan
for the next day if they have negative behaviors they are working on correcting.
Dismissal-Dismissal is at 2:25 p.m. each day. Due to the fact that we are some of the smaller kiddos here at
school, we will try to be on the primary playground or heading out to our buses at approximately 2:23 p.m.
Please make sure your child “high-fives” one of his/her teacher’s goodbye, so we can rest at night knowing that
everyone was accounted for. If you need to pick up your child before 2:20 you’ll have to sign them out in the
office. If there is any change in after-school care you must send a signed note in telling us of the change. We
will NOT release your child to anyone NOT listed on their emergency card.

E
E-mail- My e-mail address is michestr@lcps.net. I check this several times during the evening, but usually do
not have time to check it during the school day.

Early Dismissal- A few times this year your child will be dismissed at 11:00 a.m. due to mandatory teacher
professional development. I’ll make sure I remind parents of those days on our newsletters and on our website.

Educational Assistant-We have a full-time educational assistant, Hilary Benevides, in our classroom. She is a
phenomenal asset to our classroom and I feel very lucky to have her as my teaching partner. 

Emergency Cards-You are required to fill this out at the beginning of the year. Please be sure to update these
cards if there is a change in address, phone number, or emergency contact information.

F
Field Trips-We will take several educational field trips this year. I will let you know about these special days on
our newsletter. You must complete a field trip permission slip prior to the field trip, otherwise your child will
not be allowed to go. Remember these field trips are also a privilege, if we have had numerous behavior issues
with your child they will not be invited to participate in the field trip. Parents who attend field trips are
encouraged to complete the Las Cruces Public Schools’ Volunteer Paperwork Packet and Background
Check. Please see the office secretary for more information.

Fire Drills-Your child will participate in several fire drills this year. We will practice them on the first day of
school so that your child can be prepared.

Fund Raisers-Our school may have a couple of fund raisers this year to raise money for various projects and
materials. We hope that everyone can participate, but it is not required.

H
Homework-Please read with, or to, your child each night for approximately 10-15 minutes. Starting in
September, a book will be inside of their binder each night as well as a reading log. There may also be
additional homework given throughout the year for various other learning experiences as well and these
lessons/activities will be on your weekly newsletter. (See also Nightly Reading)

Handwriting - Your child will be learning D’Nealian handwriting this year. You will receive a copy of proper
D’Nealian letter strokes so you can encourage this type of writing at home.

I
Immunizations-All of you should have received information regarding immunizations when you registered your
child. If you have any further questions please contact our school nurse.
Illness- Please do not send your child to school if he/she has a temperature, is vomiting, or has excessive
diarrhea. If your child becomes ill at school, you will be called to come and pick up your child. Please
remember to keep information on your child’s medical cards updated.

K
Kid of the Day-We will send home a schedule of who is Kid of the Day. This is a first name alphabetized list
of the classroom kids, and the rotation will stay the same unless it is someone’s birthday or we gain or lose a
student. Kid of the Day is responsible for bringing a healthy snack to share with the class, they will be the
line leader, classroom helper, errand runner, etc… They can also bring ONE special item to share with the
class for Show and Tell. On your child’s birthday they will automatically be the Kid of the Day

L
Library-We will visit the library once a week. All library books will remain in a designated spot in our classroom.

Lunch-The cost of lunch is $1.90/$.40 reduced this year for a child and $3.00 for a guest lunch. The cafeteria
has the information available if you think your child qualifies for free or reduced lunch. Your child can also
bring a sack lunch rather than eat a hot lunch. Our lunchtime is 11:15-11:40 a.m. You are welcome to join your
child for lunch, please sign in at the office and meet us in the cafeteria.

Learning Centers-These centers will be the last 30 minutes of our day and will consist of a variety of free
choice center activities that encourage socialization, cooperation, creativity, problem solving, and
independence. These centers include Play-doh, Art, Writing, Reading, Engineering, Math, Science, Make-
Believe, Computer, etc…

Literacy Workstations-Literacy workstations are a set of stations your child will complete each day while Ms.
Hilary and I meet with small guided reading and/or writing groups. They will be practicing reading, writing,
spelling, communication, and listening skills at these stations while integrating Language Arts, Math, Science,
and/or Social Studies.

Math- Your child will be learning math through daily Calendar activities, exploring math tubs, playing math
games, and completing some skill and drill assignments. We use a variety of math programs that are aligned
with Common Core State Standards. You will receive more information in regards to what your child is
learning through math newsletters sent home.

Medicine-Do NOT send your child with ANY medication to take at school. If your child is required to take
medication while at school you may stop by and administer it or please contact the school nurse for
appropriate steps.

N
Newsletter-Each week I will send home a newsletter that includes classroom happenings, upcoming events,
additional homework activities, and other announcements. The newsletters will be placed in your child’s
binder at the end of the week and uploaded onto our classroom webpage.

Nightly Reading- Please read to, or with, your child each night for 10-15 minutes. Your child will also be
bringing home a book inside their binder that they need to practice reading. These books will be simple and
within a few weeks should be at their instructional level (not too hard, not too easy…just right). These books
will go home each night beginning in September.
Notes-Please check your child’s backpack/binder each night for classroom notes or school notes.

Nurse-Our nurse will take care of your child if they are sick at school until you can pick them up. She will
also be in charge of administering all medications your child may need. Please contact her to find out steps
you need to take if your child is required to take medication during the school day.

O
Outside-Your child will have outside time daily, weather permitting. We will be outside if it is not
raining/snowing and it is above 32 degrees. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. We are
usually outside twice during the day. Each recess is approximately 15-20 minutes.

P
Pledge of Allegiance-Each morning we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag.

P.E. – We will have physical education two times a week for approximately 30 minutes. To limit the number of
injuries, the coaches request that your child wears tennis shoes on the days we have P.E. class. These days are
on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Parent Involvement-We love to have parents involved in their child’s learning! If you are interested in becoming
a Classroom Volunteer, you will need to complete the Las Cruces Public Schools’ Volunteer Paperwork
Packet as well as undergo a background check. As a classroom volunteer, you may be asked to assist at a
Literacy or Math Station; you can volunteer to run a holiday themed station, and/or you can make
copies/assist in teacher preparations. If you are unable to be involved at the schoo,l remember it is equally
important to stay involved by checking your child’s binder each night, talking to your child after school each
day, reading to your child, and completing weekly homework suggestions with your child.

Parties-We will keep you updated about these special days on our Weekly Newsletter. We usually shy from the
traditional “classroom party” and celebrate special days with fun, themed learning stations.

Performance Objectives-These are the numerous skills that we are helping your child develop this year in
Kindergarten. The district mandates what skills/performance objectives need to be taught at each grade
level and it is up to the individual teacher to decide how to teach that skill.

Prizes- From time to time we will let children choose a prize from our “Prize Box”. If you would like to donate
prizes we would really appreciate it. These items could be McDonald’s toys in good shape, inexpensive party
prizes from places like Wal-Mart, little notebooks, etc…

Q
R
Report Cards-Your child will receive a report card every 9 weeks.

Recess-Your child will have a recess before school each morning, mid-morning, and after lunch as weather
permits.

Rules (Students will create “expectations”; however, these are the general expectations)
1) We will focus on our learning
2) We will be respectful and kind.
3) We will work quietly.
4) We will be bucket fillers.
5) We will be helpers.

Restrooms- We have restrooms in our classroom and we will take restroom breaks as a whole class a couple
times a day. If you child is prone to accidents, please pack a Ziploc with clean clothes to keep inside their
backpack.

S
Safety-To ensure your child’s safety, and maintain an environment conducive to learning, the rules must be
followed each and every day. They will also learn that different areas of our school may have additional safety
rules to follow, too. To ensure their safety after school, please send a note if your child is not going home
their “usual” way. I will not release them to anyone unless I have a signed note to the parent/guardian. Parents
are only able to drop off their child on the Kindergarten Playground if they sign in as a visitor at the office.

Snacks-The Kid of the Day is responsible for bringing our daily snack. This snack needs to be a healthy, easy-
to-eat snack. Some ideas are cups of fruit, cut up fresh fruit or vegetables, goldfish crackers, animal
crackers, graham crackers, popcorn, trail mix, string cheese, crackers, small cups of yogurt or pudding. I am
unaware of any student allergies at this time; however, I will update this as necessary.

School Supplies-Please refer to the list sent home at registration. Most supplies will be shared in our
classroom. Sometimes we will run out of an item and I may ask for these to be replaced (look for it in the
weekly newsletter).

Schedule-This will be posted outside of our door, but in Kindergarten we always remain flexible.

Show and Tell- Our Kid of the Day may bring in ONE item for Show and Tell. This item will remain in their
backpack until it is time to share.

Sight Words (Word Wall Words)-There are some basic sight/high frequency words that your child should know
before leaving Kindergarten. We will be practicing these in class; however, there may be activities that revolve
around sight words included on the weekly newsletter.

T
Transportation-If your child is going home a different way than “normal” please send a signed note
letting me know of the changes. I will not let your child go home a different way unless I have this note.

Tardies-Students late to school need to be signed in, by an adult, in the office. Our attendance software
keeps
a record of all tardies and they’ll be noted on your child’s report card.

Technology-Students will be using technology on a daily basis. They will be learning using computers,
iPads, and iPods in the classroom. Technology is a great way to engage our students as well as increase
academic
achievement. Please limit technology/screen time at home to 30-60 minutes per day. 

Toys-Toys are not allowed at school unless it is for Show and Tell.

U
Units and Themes-These will be noted on the weekly newsletters. In our classroom the majority of our themes
are related to Science.

V
Visitors-All visitors must sign into the office and get a visitor sticker before coming into our classroom.

Volunteers- (see Parent Involvement)

W
Water Bottles-Children may bring a water bottle that has been labeled with their name. It will be kept in
their cubby and sent home each day to be washed with hot, soapy water to stop the spread of classroom
germs.

Webpage-The Las Cruces Public Schools web address is www.lcps.k12.nm.us. Our classroom webpage is
www.mrsestradasroadrunners.weebly.com .

Writing- We use a variety of writing techniques in our classroom. Your child will receive whole class, small
group, and independent practice throughout each week.

X
Y
Z
Zoo Phonics – This is a phonics program that we will be using throughout the year.

ZZZZ’s- Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest each night. Kindergarten students require
10-12 hours of sleep a day. It so important because it keeps your child alert and ready to learn. Set a
bedtime and be consistent.

Notes/Questions: